CRNA Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who practices both autonomously and in collaboration with a variety of health providers on the interprofessional team to deliver high-quality, holistic, evidence-based anesthesia and pain care services. The CRNA cares for patients at all acuity levels across the lifespan in a variety of settings for procedures including, but not limited to, surgical, obstetrical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and pain management.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform and document the pre anesthesia assessment and evaluation of the patient.
• Review, request, and order (as permitted by state law), laboratory/diagnostic studies.
• Obtain informed consent for anesthesia and related services.
• Select, obtain, order, and administer preanesthetic medication or treatment.
• Develop and implement an anesthesia care plan.
• Select, obtain, prepare, and use equipment, invasive and non-invasive monitors, supplies, and drugs for the administration of sedation, anesthesia, and pain management services; perform safety checks as needed.
• Select, order, obtain, and administer analgesic and anesthetic agents, adjuvant drugs, accessory drugs, fluids, necessary to provide anesthesia services.
• Document a time- based record of events during peri-anesthetic care
• Perform all aspects of airway management, including fiberoptic intubation.
• Facilitate emergence and recovery from anesthesia by evaluating patient response, and selecting, ordering, and administering medications, fluids, and ventilator support to maintain patient stability during transfer.
• Initiate and administer post-anesthesia pharmacological or fluid support of the cardiovascular system.
• Initiate and administer respiratory support to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation in the post anesthesia period.
• Evaluate the patient’s response to anesthesia and surgery; take appropriate corrective action post anesthesia.
• Provide post anesthesia follow-up evaluation care
• Discharge the patient from the post anesthesia care unit
• Implement acute and chronic pain management modalities
• Manage emergency situations by assessing, stabilizing, and determining disposition of patients, including providing airway management, administration of emergency
• Place and manage regional anesthetic techniques, as delineated by his or her clinical privileges or granted special privileges.
  • Insert and manage peripheral, arterial, pulmonary catheter, or central venous lines and catheters.
  • Provide patient and caregiver education.
  • Consult with respiratory care providers and Implement respiratory and ventilator care when appropriate. 
• Supports patient safety when performing his or her job functions and through participation in facility, department, or unit patient safety initiatives.
  • Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
  • Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
  • Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.
  • Using an interdisciplinary approach, including consultation or referral to another clinician, as appropriate.

• Perform advanced and interventional pai